Wallets Are for Suckers

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Most of my adult life I’ve lugged around a wallet the size of a six-inch Subway sandwich. Stuffed with credit cards (both new and expired), I also manage to cram in the following: discount cards, business cards, laundry cards, old receipts, coffee-punch vouchers, and all kinds of loose change. It’s my own private Hoarders nightmare that’s led to misplaced MetroCards and many missed trains.

My intervention came in the form of a teeny, no-frills cardholder. The snakeskin envelope case was a gift that I didn’t think to use until I bought a lady bag too small to fit my megawallet — no matter how creatively I tried to stuff it inside. I was forced to downsize and I haven’t looked back. Now there’s only room for a few loose bills, my office key card, one or two coffee punch cards (because free lattes are very important), and my credit, debit, and ID cards.

Since the beginning of winter, the cardholder has even encouraged me to ditch my lady bag. I pack my essentials in my coat pockets like a man — keys, cardholder, lip balm, and cell phone. Indoors, I simply tuck the case in my back pocket so it’s always with me.

The lack of space in the cardholder also encourages me to be a responsible employee. Instead of keeping receipts until they’re crumpled and nearly illegible for expense reports (sorry, payroll!), I move my spare change and receipts to containers on my desk as soon as they start to accumulate.

My favorite cardholders are the envelope ones with a magnetic closure. I gifted this one as a stocking stuffer to a friend who had been eyeing mine. Plus, you really can’t beat the price.